Apologies: No apologies were received; however the Cabinet Member for Adult Services explained that he would have to leave the meeting at 6.45pm to attend another meeting.

Also present: Councillor N. Hodges.

C2046 MINUTES –

RESOLVED – T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October, 2013 be approved as a correct record.

C2047 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST –

No declarations were received.

C2048 CARDIFF BAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE -

The following minutes of the Cardiff Bay Advisory Committee Meeting held on 11 September, 2013 were submitted.

Present:

Councillor L. Burnett (Chairman)

Vale of Glamorgan Council

Mrs. C. Dimond

Cardiff Flood Action Committee

Mr. I. Aitken

Cardiff Bay Yacht Club

Mr. J. Harrison

Natural Resources Wales

Councillor M. Cuddy

Penarth Town Council

Ms. S. Newbold

British Marine Federation

Mr. N. Ajax Lewis

Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

Also present:

Mr. S. Howell

Cardiff Harbour Authority

Mr. C. Hope

Vale of Glamorgan Council

(a) Apologies for Absence –

These were received from Councillor G. Roberts (Penarth Town Council).

(b) Minutes –

AGREED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 5th June, 2013 be accepted as a correct record.

(c) Matters Arising –

In referring to Minute No. (j)(iv) â€œGround Water Complaintsâ€ Mrs. Dimond asked if the Advisory Committee could receive a presentation from the Ground Water Administrator at its meeting in January 2014.

(d) Progress Update – Cardiff Harbour Authority – Mr. Simon Howell –

The warm summer weather provided a boost to visitors and businesses in the Bay but a number of challenges in relation to Water Quality for the Harbour Authority. Oxygen levels dropped significantly in July and early August necessitating the deployment of the oxygenation barge on an almost daily basis. Oxygen levels were kept above the 5mg standard for 99.89% of the time which reflected the efforts made by the teams involved.

The water temperature in the Bay rose to 24º at times and a small number of dead fish were found in the higher reaches of the Ely probably caused by these high water temperatures. The high water temperatures made the Bay and rivers attractive to swimmers and despite warnings about potential water quality and underground obstructions etc. this did not deter high numbers of people entering the water.

The Barrage Bascule Bridge repairs had been completed and all three bridges were now fully operational again. The full range of routine maintenance to the locks and sluices had also been carried out as planned over this period.

An issue had arisen over the past two months with some individuals fishing from adjacent to the fish pass on the Barrage. This was despite signs deterring fishing in this area and had led to a number of complaints being received because of a perceived lack of action.

The numbers of salmon passing through the fish pass had been excellent throughout this period so there was no evidence that this was impacting on migratory fish. This restricted the enforcement action that could be taken to prevent this activity in this area by NRW and other powers that were currently available to the Council and NRW are extremely limited.

Further proposals were being considered to physically prevent access to this area and the possible extension of enforcement powers to control this in future.

The marine team had started clearing natural weed that had grown along the River Taff, Ely and bay edges this summer. Although it had not encroached on the navigation channels, removal was now required before it died off over the coming weeks and started to break loose. Due to the unusual high volume this year it was anticipated that there were several weeks of clear up work to be undertaken.

(h) Navigational Safety – Report from Mr. Simon Howell –

There had been no significant navigational safety issues since the last meeting.

Some minor concerns and reports had been received over the last six weeks regarding the use of the Taff and potential navigation issues between two commercial operators. The Harbour Master had held a meeting with both parties to discuss the issues in detail and improvements to the way in which they operated had been identified as a means of mitigating future problems.

As part of a continued assessment of the effect of wash on the banks and other craft, a period of wave monitoring was due to recommence between Cardiff Yacht Club’s moorings and the Bay. This followed a period of monitoring on the River Taff.

(i) Update Report – Natural Resources Wales – Mr. John Harrison –

Mr. Harrison advised that he had little to add to the items raised earlier by Mr. Howell.

In referring to the fish deaths in the higher reaches of the Ely, it was known to be theoretically possible that fish deaths occurred at water temperatures of 24º.

With regard to the issue of fishing, Mr. Harrison advised that anyone could fish on the seaward side of the Bay whereas fishing on the Barrage side required a license.

Mr. Harrison was aware that fishermen were placing fishing lines close to the fish pass, but was not aware of any salmon having been caught.

Mr. Harrison referred to discussions that had taken place regarding the construction of an artificial beach. This was a concept at the moment, and much work would have to be carried out to assess its feasibility, including the possible flood risk.

(j) Presentation by Mr. John Harrison – Natural Resources Wales –

Mr. Harrison gave a presentation to the Advisory Committee on the work of the new organisation entitled Natural Resources Wales.

The presentation encompassed the following:

· Who are we?

· Natural Resources Wales is â€¦..

· Challenges

· Priority areas of work

· How to contact Natural Resources Wales.

The presentation was noted.

(k) Volvo Round the World Yacht Race – Report by Mr. Simon Howell –

The Volvo Ocean Race is the most prestigious of any of the round the world yacht races. It is held every three years and first started in 1972 when it was sponsored by Whitbread and was then known as the Whitbread Round the World Race.

Though the route is changed to accommodate the ports of call, the race typically departs and finishes in Europe. Each of the entries has a sailing team of 11 professional crew who race for more than 20 days at a time on some of the legs.

Economic Impact

The start and finish to the race and all port stopovers attract large numbers of spectators and visitors to the cities and regions involved. In the 2011/12 series the following numbers of visits were made to the individual cities involved:

Host Port

Spectators

Alicante

800,882

Cape Town

124,271

Abu Dhabi

124,604

Sanya

381,300

Auckland

276,651

Itajai

252,459

Miami

25,823

Lisbon

202,490

Lorient

209,600

Galway

552,047

The economic benefit to the cities and regions involved in the race are also significant. The race owners, Volvo, use Pricewaterhouse Coopers to carry out Economic Impact Assessments for some of the ports using a standard methodology. This uses an input output model based on national and regional account figures published by official national statistics offices. The start port of Alicante is estimated to have received an overall economic impact of over â‚¬89m in the regional and over â‚¬110m in Spain overall.

Pricewaterhouse Coopers have compiled similar reports for Abu Dhabi and Sanya which showed the following benefits:

Abu Dhabi

Sanya

Total Economic Impact

â‚¬38.43m

â‚¬88.56m

Spectators to Race Village

124,604

381,300

Average duration of stay (international visitors attending event)

11.5 days

9.6 days in Sanya and 8.9 days in the rest of China

VIP guests

1,600

3,600

Accredited media

360

367

Galway hosted the finish of the race in July 2012 after the final leg from Lorient in France. This was the second time that Galway has hosted the event and the final leg included a nine day event that started the weekend before the boats arrived and concluded on the following Saturday evening with a gala presentation dinner for 1,500 guests.

It has been estimated that over 550,000 visits by spectators and tourists were made to the Galway region during the nine day event. This is reported to be the largest event ever held in Ireland with local press reports indicating that businesses in the city confirmed that the event gave them an extraordinary boost and the economic difficulties they faced were greatly eased by the spend in the city over the event period.

Media interest was also significant throughout the race with over 4,817 hours of television coverage and 8,969 individual broadcasts. It is estimated that the race was watched by a cumulative television audience of over 1.55 billion. The television coverage was around 20% higher when compared to the 2008/9 event and online coverage of the event was almost 70% up on the previous event.

2014/15 Race

The 2014/15 race route is shown below:

2017/18 Race

Alicante, Auckland, Lisbon, Cardiff and Gothenburg are confirmed ports for the 2017/18 edition with the remaining ports along the route still to be declared. There is a possibility that a UK boat will enter the race in 2014/15 and 201718 which would increase the media interest in the race further.

Cardiff has the advantage of being able to learn from the best practice in the 2014/15 event when establishing the arrangements for the Capital stopover in 2018. A â€œteam Walesâ€ approach is being taken to take advantage of the opportunity that this race will provide and this will involve maximising the economic benefit from visitors, business development and media profile. Plans are also being developed to consider the legacy impact, particularly on sailing, and tourism to the area.

(k) Report of Mr. Ian Aitken – Cardiff Bay Yacht Club –

With the Chairman’s permission, the Advisory Committee received a report of Mr. Ian Aitken, Training Centre Principal, Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, giving his observations on the Extreme 40s and Welsh Optimist Championships which were held on August Bank Holiday 2013.

It was reported that Cardiff Bay Yacht Club had hosted the Welsh Optimist Championships for more than 10 years, frequently attracting 125-150 entries.

The Optimist was a small racing boat for people up to 16 years of age and was an established entry boat to national and international competition and alumni included Sir Ben Ainslie (five times Olympic gold medallist) and Hannah Mills from Dinas Powys (Olympic silver medallist).

Competitors visiting Cardiff and elsewhere on their â€œcircuitâ€ would usually be accompanied by one or two adults and often by non-competitive brothers and sisters. In Cardiff at peak this could translate into 150 competitors with, say, 2 adults or 450 people in total. These people would provide a great pool of custom for hotels, B&Bs and pubs, restaurants and bars.

This year, it had been agreed with the Cardiff Harbour Authority and the Extreme 40s that the first optimist race would be held at 6.00 p.m. on Saturday. Feedback from parents was that they would not travel for an â€œidle Saturdayâ€ and there were only 29 entries.

It was felt that in planning for the Extreme 40s in their final visit in August 2014, consideration should be given to ensuring continued success of the long established Optimist Welsh Championship which was an important event for Cardiff Bay Yacht Club and which also served the regeneration objectives long established for the Bay.

It was

AGREED – T H A T efforts should be made to make the event as sustainable as possible and that consideration should be given to continuing the success of the event.

(l) Any Other Business –

(i) Regulation on the Prevention and Management of the Introduction and Spread of Invasive Non-native Species

Mr. Lewis advised the Advisory Committee that the European Commission had just published its intentions regarding invasive species. The details had been published on the European Commission’s website together with a short list of species that organisations must actively seek to remove.

The Advisory Committee

AGREED – T H A T any clarity on this matter was to be welcomed and requested that it receive further updates as and when they become available.

(m) Date of Next Meeting –

AGREED – T H A T the next meeting be held on Wednesday, 20th November 2013 at 5.15 p.m.

In presenting this item, the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Innovation, Planning and Transportation drew attention to item (k) of the minutes, that was the â€˜Volvo Round the World Yacht Race’, explaining that one of the best places to observe this event would in fact be in the Vale of Glamorgan and that the Council would work to ensure that the Vale benefited from this.

RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes be noted.

Reason for decision

To have regard to the views expressed.

C2049 GLAMORGAN HERITAGE COAST ADVISORY GROUP -

The following minutes of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Advisory Group meeting held on 13 September, 2013 were submitted.

Ms. Lynch commenced her presentation by advising that there were around 250 species of bumblebees worldwide and 24 in the UK which feed exclusively on pollen and nectar and are found mostly in cool regions in the northern hemisphere. In order to thrive they required :

· somewhere to nest

· lots of flowers for food throughout spring, summer and early autumn

· somewhere to hibernate.

Ms. Lynch further advised that it was important to conserve bumblebees because they were important pollinators of commercial crops and wild plants, they were part of 'our valuable biodiversity' and managing habitats for bumblebees also helped lots of other wildlife. Members were provided with a PowerPoint presentation and full description of the species. Reference was made to the importance of land management and the need to ensure that wild flower meadows existed together with bee friendly planting beds and that boundary habitats were enhanced and managed and that tussock grass was encouraged. Ms. Lynch also referred to a number of types of flowers that the bumblebees frequented which included Red Clover. All these initiatives would assist in the conservation of the bumblebee. There was also the importance of developing areas within parks, foot path verges, road side verges, farms and small holdings, campsites, orchards and brown field sites which would assist further and that hedges, ditches and banks also provided vital foliage in early and late summer as nesting habitats. These should be cut every other year rotationally in sections and not cut between April and mid September in order to encourage the bumblebees to nest.

Following the presentation Ms. Lynch advised that should any organisation wish to pursue a project they could contact her direct.

AGREED – T H A T Ms. Lynch be thanked for an interesting and informative

presentation and that her contact details be forwarded to all Members.

(f) Achievements and Issues Since the Last Meeting -

The Principal Ranger, Mr. Paul Dunn, provided Members with a PowerPoint presentation of pictures that had been taken of the Heritage Coast over the previous five months. He advised that visitor numbers to the coast had increased as a result of the excellent summer weather.

Maintenance work as always continued to be undertaken in relation to issues such as fences needing mending, safety issues and cliff falls. Mr. Dunn also referred to the number of visits made to the Heritage Coast Centre by schools and informed Members of the significant number of thank you letters that had been received from pupils in relation to their visits.

The local gardens were a fantastic resource and work had recently been undertaken to improve the garden wall. Mr. Dunn took the opportunity to offer special thanks to Mr. Malcolm Drysdale of the Vale of Glamorgan Council who had arranged for a number of contractors to undertake work at the site which had been successful and managed well.

A number of events had also been held throughout the year as detailed below:

· Literature Wales Poetry event

· birthday parties

· rock pooling parties

· a variety of managed walks

· Garden open days

· assistance at the Vale Walking Festival

· Local Painting exhibition.

In referring to litter, Mr. Dunn advised of the substantial amount of waste that came to the Coast from rivers and the sea, and that it needed a co-ordinated approach from all agencies, landowners and interested parties to help solve the problem. He, however, took the opportunity to thank the number of volunteers who arrived on a day to day basis to assist with litter picking. The Police had approached the Authority as to whether the Heritage Coast Centre could be used as a base for enabling best resource management of future large emergency incidents. This was currently being discussed with Dunraven Estates and the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

In conclusion, Mr. Dunn took the opportunity to thank 'The Friends of the Heritage Coast Centre', landowners and all other user groups for their continued support, following which it was

AGREED – T H A T the presentation be noted.

(g) Matters Raised by Bridgend County Borough Council –

Councillor G. Davies referred to the coastal path advising that it had opened up the coastline for a number of people. He also referred to a local conflict between walkers on the Heritage Coast and horse-riders which was currently being looked into by officers in Bridgend County Borough Council and he would report back to the Advisory Group accordingly.

(h) Matters Raised by Natural Resources Wales –

Ms. Barter referred to a recent staff restructuring within the organisation and that, although it was not anticipated that it would affect Bridgend or the Vale Council, it was of note that Sites of Scientific Interest were likely to be dealt with by staff from the Swansea office.

(i) Matters Raised by the Friends of Glamorgan Heritage Coast –

Mr. Arcott urged the Vale of Glamorgan Council to monitor progress in relation to the rights of way through the Sea Watch Centre.

(j) Date of Next Meeting –

It was agreed that the next meeting should be held in the month of April 2014 and the Democratic and Scrutiny Officer would confirm the date in due course

RESOLVED - T H A T the minutes be noted.

Reason for decision

To have regard to the views expressed.

C2050 APPOINTMENT OF LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNORS ADVISORY PANEL -

The following Minutes of the Local Authority Governors Advisory Panel meeting held on 30 September, 2013 were submitted.

Councillors C.P.J. Elmore, P.J. Clarke, F.T. Johnson, Mrs. M.R. Wilkinson and Mrs. M.E. Gibbs withdrew from the meeting, as appropriate, as they were precluded from presiding over vacancies where they themselves were Governors. Councillor C.P. Franks withdrew when the appointment of a Governor for Murch Junior was being considered as the applicant was a relative.

(c) Guidance Regarding Appointment Process –

The Chairman advised that a late application had been received for Murch Junior School which was agreed to be tabled at the meeting.

Following consideration of the criteria for the appointment of Local Authority Governors and the applications received, including the late application, it was subsequently

RECOMMENDED –

(1) T H A T the guidance regarding the appointment process be noted.

(2) T H A T the guidance with regard to late applications be waived and Mrs. Dixon’s application be considered when determining appointments as LA Governors.

(3) T H A T it be noted that Members were precluded from taking part in consideration of vacancies at schools where they themselves were a Governor or they knew the applicant. Substitutes were permitted in these cases.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC –

RESOLVED - T H A T under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 4 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act, the relevant paragraphs of the Schedule being referred to in brackets after the minute heading.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF CURRENT LA GOVERNOR VACANCIES –

The Head of Governor Support informed the Panel that with regard to applications for Barry Comprehensive, Mr. L. Kellaway had withdrawn his application for that position. The Chairman also advised that he would vacate the Chair with regard to the appointments for Barry Comprehensive and Holton Primary Schools and it was agreed by the Panel that Councillor F.T. Johnson would take the Chair for these appointments.

In considering the applications and, in particular, the quality of some of the applications received, it was subsequently

RECOMMENDED to Cabinet – T H A T the following appointments be made for the schools as set out below:

School

Appointment/s

Albert Primary

Mr. P. Andrews

Barry Comprehensive

Councillor Dr. I.J. Johnson

Barry Island Primary

Mr. J. Jowett

Cadoxton Primary

Mr. M. John

Cogan Primary

Mr. J.P. Williams

Colcot Primary

Mr. L. Kellaway

Councillor Mrs. M.R. Wilkinson

1 Deferred

Cowbridge Comprehensive

Councillor G. Cox

Eagleswell Primary

Mr. D. Thomas

Evenlode Primary

Ms. M.E. Ingram

Ms. K.E. Pimbley

1 Deferred

Gwenfo C/W Primary

Ms. S. North

Holton Primary

Mr. B. Andrews

Llancarfan Primary

Mr. N. Crane

Llangan Primary

Councillor R.P. Thomas

Llantwit Major Comprehensive

Mrs. M. Gibbs

Murch Junior

Mrs. C.D. Dixon

Peterson-Super-Ely C/W Primary

Councillor R.L. Traherne

Mr. R.J. Bailey

(The Panel, having been advised that Mr. Bailey and Mrs. Phillips were currently being considered as Parent Governors for the school, agreed that if Mr. Bailey was to be appointed in that capacity that Mrs. A. Phillips be appointed as the LA Governor.)

Rhws Primary

Ms. J. Hopkins

St. Cyres Comprehensive

Councillor Mrs. V.M. Hartrey

St. Davids C/W Primary

Councillor R.P. Thomas

St. Illtyd Primary

Mr. M. Reid

St. Richard Gwyn R C High

Deferred

Victoria Primary

Councillor M.R. Wilson

Ysgol Gwaun y Nant

Mrs. S. Hodges

Ysgol Bro Morgannwg

No appointment as no applications had been received so deferred

Reasons for recommendations

(1) To allow the Cabinet to consider the appointments in respect of the above schools’ governing bodies.

(2) In consideration of the content contained within the applications.

At the meeting the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services confirmed that, in regard to Governor appointments at Peterston-Super-Ely C/W Primary, Mr R.J. Bailey was appointed as LEA Governor along with Councillor. R.L. Treharne.

RESOLVED - T H A T the following appointments in respect of the Schools’ Governing Bodies outlined below be confirmed;

School

Appointment/s

Albert Primary

Mr. P. Andrews

Barry Comprehensive

Councillor Dr. I.J. Johnson

Barry Island Primary

Mr. J. Jowett

Cadoxton Primary

Mr. M. John

Cogan Primary

Mr. J.P. Williams

Colcot Primary

Mr. L. Kellaway

Councillor Mrs. M.R. Wilkinson

1 Deferred

Cowbridge Comprehensive

Councillor G. Cox

Eagleswell Primary

Mr. D. Thomas

Evenlode Primary

Ms. M.E. Ingram

Ms. K.E. Pimbley

1 Deferred

Gwenfo C/W Primary

Ms. S. North

Holton Primary

Mr. B. Andrews

Llancarfan Primary

Mr. N. Crane

Llangan Primary

Councillor R.P. Thomas

Llantwit Major Comprehensive

Mrs. M. Gibbs

Murch Junior

Mrs. C.D. Dixon

Peterson-Super-Ely C/W Primary

Councillor R.L. Traherne

Mr. R.J. Bailey

Rhws Primary

Ms. J. Hopkins

St. Cyres Comprehensive

Councillor Mrs. V.M. Hartrey

St. Davids C/W Primary

Councillor R.P. Thomas

St. Illtyd Primary

Mr. M. Reid

St. Richard Gwyn R C High

Deferred

Victoria Primary

Councillor M.R. Wilson

Ysgol Gwaun y Nant

Mrs. S. Hodges

Ysgol Bro Morgannwg

No appointment as no applications had been received so deferred

Reason for decisions

To fill vacancies on the related School Governing Bodies.

C2051 ESTYN REPORT ON THE QUALITY OF LOCAL AUTHORITY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (CS) (sCRUTINY – LIFELONG LEARNING) –

Members were advised as to the process and timetable to prepare the Post Inspection Action Plan [PIAP].

The Estyn report on the quality of local authority education services for children and young people [LAESCYP] took place between 20-24 May.

The inspectors considered a wide range of evidence including data, documents and interviews. The inspectors overall judgement was 'adequate'; capacity to improve was also judged to be 'adequate'. The report attached at Appendix 1 was published on 17 September and was circulated to all councillors.

R2 Improve the rigour and the level of challenge provided to schools about their performance and quality of leadership

R3 Use the full powers available to the authority to improve schools that are underperforming.

R4 Make sure that planning for improvement is thorough and consistent throughout all services.

R5 Ensure that robust systems were in place for evaluating the outcomes of initiatives and that they demonstrate good value-for-money.

R6 Strengthen arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the wellbeing of children and young people.

A Post Inspection Action Plan was currently being prepared to address the recommendations outlined in the report, and a timetable attached at Appendix 2 to the report provided information about the groups that would be involved in the preparation and the planned timescale.

This was a matter for Executive decision.

RESOLVED -

(1) T H A T the publication on 17 September, 2013 of the Estyn report on the quality of Local Authority Education Services for Children and Young People [LAESCYP] be noted.

(2) T H A T the planned process and timetable for the preparation of the Post Inspection Action Plan [PIAP] be noted.

(3) T H A T the report be referred to Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) for information.

Reasons for decisions

(1) To note the publication of the recent Estyn report.

(2) To note the planned process and timetable for the preparation of the Post Inspection Action Plan [PIAP].

(3) To apprise the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning) of the Estyn Inspection report and action plan.

Approval was sought to agree the legal agreement for the Joint Education Service (JES) and the provision of a Learning and Innovation Network for Schools (LINKs).

Local Authorities across Wales had agreed to establish Consortium arrangements for the delivery of Education Services. In the first instance the focus had been on developing collaborative arrangements for the delivery of school improvement.

The Joint Service was in two parts. The first (JES), funded by Local Authorities delivered the statutory school improvement activities on behalf of local authorities to monitor, to challenge and intervene where necessary to raise standards in schools. The second part (LINKs) was a traded service providing training, development and support activities funded in the main through delegated school budgets and school effectiveness and pupil deprivation grants.

Cabinet received a report in April 2011 with regard to the principle of establishing a joint service and in July 2012 agreed an interim legal agreement. The Legal agreement was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

This was a matter for Executive decision.

RESOLVED –

(1) T H A T delegated authority be granted to the Chief Learning and Skills Officer in consultation with the Head of Legal Services and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to agree (if appropriate) amendments to the Legal Agreement.

(2) T H A T subject to any amendments agreed in line with Resolution one above, Cabinet agree that the Legal agreement in relation to the Joint Education Service be executed by the Head of Legal Services.

Reasons for decisions

(1&2) To enable the proper operation of the Central South Consortium Joint Education Service (CSCJES) following the expiry of the interim agreement.

Members were provided with an update on the feasibility work undertaken to date on the provision of a shared walking and cycling route between Barry and Dinas Powys. The report also sought approval to commence initial discussions with landowners and if appropriate progress land valuations in respect of the land that would need to be acquired to allow construction of the scheme.

The report further sought approval to submit a bid to the South East Wales Transport Alliance for funding of the scheme following the clarification of the position regarding land valuations.

In 2010-11 funding was received from the South East Wales Transport Alliance (Sewta) to undertake feasibility work to see if a Barry-Dinas Powys walking and cycling route might be provided, as the existing highway between the Biglis roundabout in Barry and the edge of Dinas Powys along the A4055 Cardiff Road currently had no footway provision.

As part of the feasibility report, two route options were considered. Option 1 identified a route to the north-western side of the A4055 Cardiff Road and Option 2 proposed to bring the route across the A4055 to the south-eastern side for part of its length. Both options considered other minor variations to route to deal with perceived barriers or risks to implementation. Both route options ran between the Biglis roundabout and Caer Odyn, Southra park in Dinas Powys.

Following initial consideration of land ownership, land take considerations, environmental and ecological considerations, flood risk and flood alleviation methods as well a consideration of both construction methods and buildability, the Feasibility report concluded that one of the variations of Option 2 should be taken forward as a preferred option for more detailed consideration.

The ability to deliver the scheme would rely on both land acquisition and funding and the report sought the necessary approvals to seek valuation of the land required for the currently preferred option as well as approval to commence negotiations with the various landowners involved. The preferred Option 2 was also in the lower range of the priced Options considered to date.

This was a matter for Executive decision.

RESOLVED –

(1) T H A T the progress made to date be noted.

(2) T H A T the recommendations of the Feasibility Report which defined a preferred route for the shared walking and cycling path be endorsed.

(3) T H A T a consultation exercise with relevant stakeholders including Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment) be organised to seek views in respect of the preferred route and design and that the results of any consultation be reported back to Cabinet in due course.

(4) T H A T the Director of Resources be authorised, in consultation with the Leader, to commence initial discussions with landowners and seek necessary land valuations in respect of the land that would need to be acquired to allow construction of the scheme

(5) T H A T officers report the results of the land investigations and discussions back to Cabinet in due course.

(6) T H A T the Director of Development Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Innovation, Planning and Transportation, be authorised to submit a further bid to the South East Wales Transport Alliance for scheme funding once the position regarding land valuation was known.

Reasons for decisions

(1) To provide a full update on the proposal.

(2) To accept the Feasibility report that identified a preferred route as a basis for consultation.

(3) To allow views regarding the route and initial design to be sought.

(4) In order to clarify the position regarding land take and the cost of land acquisition so that an appropriate funding bid to Sewta might be made later in the year.

(5) To allow the provision of sufficient information to enable the Cabinet to make a decision with respect to the next stage of the project.

Members were advised of the amount of Social Housing Grant allocated to the Vale of Glamorgan Council by the Welsh Government for the provision of affordable housing in 2013/2014, the indicative forward allocations for 2014/15 and 2015/16 (which could be subject to change) and the schemes being supported.

Social Housing Grant (SHG) was a capital grant made available by the Welsh Government to Registered Social landlords (RSLs) to provide new affordable housing for rent or for low cost home ownership.

The SHG programme in Wales for 2013-14 had a budget of £52.4 million, however this budget had been top sliced to fund other housing commitments e.g. Physical Adaptation Grant and Welsh Housing Partnership funding, leaving only £35million available to develop new affordable housing schemes across Wales.

In addition, an extra £20 million SHG had been made available to fund the development of one and two bedroom properties to allow current social housing tenants affected by the welfare reform changes to downsize to smaller accommodation.

There were currently four RSLs which were zoned by the Welsh Government to develop in the Vale of Glamorgan using SHG, Hafod Housing Association, Newydd Housing Association, Wales & West Housing Association and United Welsh Housing Association, which was able to develop supported housing only.

Because of the very low settlement (3.1% of the overall budget 6th lowest in Wales) awarded to the Vale of Glamorgan over the next three years, it was imperative that the Authority ensured that schemes were prioritised appropriately to meet identified housing need and that other funding streams e.g. Section 106 Agreements and Recycled Capital Grant (held by RSLs from the sale of land or housing to tenants through the right to acquire) were maximised.

In addition, following the agreement of Cabinet on 4 February, 2013 (Minute No. C1997) work had recently commenced on an options appraisal for land currently in the ownership of Public Sector Housing, which could assist the Authority to meet the critical demand for affordable housing in the County in the future.

This was a matter for Executive decision.

RESOLVED –

(1) T H A T the Social Housing Grant programme expenditure as listed at Appendix A, attached to the report, be noted.

(2) T H A T the report be referred to Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection) for information.

Reason for decisions

(1&2) To apprise Members of future affordable housing developments within the Vale of Glamorgan.

Members were advised of problems with the current anti-social behaviour policy for council tenants and of progress on the development of a more suitable policy for dealing with anti-social behaviour in the future.

Earlier this year a senior officer working group recognised that the current methods of dealing with anti-social behaviour were unwieldy and hampered efforts to resolve matters. Consequently the officers recommended a peer review and a new draft policy.

The government was working on a draft Anti-social Behaviour Bill that was intended to streamline the range of measures available to landlords to combat the problem. While the bill was not expected to become law until 2015, the new Vale of Glamorgan approach would take account of the spirit of the change, which set out to provide an opportunity to address the underlying causes of ASB, improving the likelihood of achieving a long term sustainable positive outcome for the community.

The existing policy was adopted by Cabinet on 16 March, 2011 (Minute No.C1254) and was created in response to criticism from the Local Authority Ombudsman which included a decision of maladministration against the Council. In practice the existing policy and procedure had proved difficult to implement. It had been shown to be too onerous when dealing with routine matters and lacked flexibility.

The current procedure was highly prescriptive and placed undue emphasis on enforcement and not enough on prevention and good estate management. This led to officers being driven by the need to complete the process of producing standard letters and issuing warnings on time rather than concentrating on the people concerned and achieving satisfactory outcomes for them. A copy of the current policy and procedure was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

The new policy set out in Appendix 2 as attached to the report, would adopt the standard definition of anti-social behaviour as set out in the Crime and Disorder Act: â€œAny conduct that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not in the same household.â€ There would be a parallel policy for dealing with estate management issues [Appendix 3].

The new policy also took account of the â€œWales Housing Management Standard for Tackling Anti-social Behaviour.â€

The Council was embarking on a consultation process that included consultation with the Housing Services Review Group, a tenant consultative body, formal consultation with significant partners such as Safer Vale, a staff working group and written consultation with other interested groups. Further consultation would be undertaken with all tenants in line with statute.

This was a matter for Executive decision

RESOLVED –

(1) T H A T the progress to date of the policy review and the principles of the proposed new approach for dealing with incidences of anti-social behaviour involving Council tenants be noted.

(2) T H A T the draft Anti-Social Behaviour Policy, as attached at Appendix 2 to the report, be endorsed and the consultation process as outlined in Paragraph 17 of the report be agreed.

(3) T H A T the report be referred to Scrutiny Committee (Housing and Public Protection) for consideration.

(4) T H A T a further report on the final draft policy should be submitted to a future Cabinet meeting advising of the full results of the stakeholder consultation.

Reasons for decisions

(1) To ensure Cabinet was aware of the progress with the policy development process.

(2) To endorse the Policy and agree the consultation process.

(3) To ensure that Cabinet was aware of the consultation process associated with the policy.

(4) To ensure Cabinet received the final policy for their agreement featuring the consultation responses.

Members were advised of the Council's performance delivering Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) in quarter 1 of 2013-14.

Cabinet agreed on 15July, 2013 (Minute No. C1415 refers) an action plan for service improvement during 2013-14 and that a detailed report on Disabled Facilities Grants be brought to Cabinet on a quarterly basis. Appendix 1, as attached to the report, provided detailed information on the performance of the delivery of disabled facilities grants during quarter 1 of 2013-14.

The report outlined that overall the DFG performance was within target. However, as seen in the second table in Appendix 1, the time taken between a client's 1st point of contact with the Council and the Occupational Therapist recommendation was behind target. However, when comparing the performance on a quarterly basis there had been an improvement in this stage from the last quarter. This failure was being addressed through additional staffing. The Occupational Therapist employed by Public Protection would start in November 2013 and in the meantime an agency Occupational Therapist had been employed. Appendix 2, as attached to the report, provided an update on the implementation of the agreed action plan delivering further service improvement.

The adaptations detailed within this report were for private sector residents that either owned their properties or were renting from private landlords. Adaptations required by Council tenants were delivered by Housing Services, while adaptations for housing association tenants were delivered by their housing association supported by Property Adaptation Grants funded directly by Welsh Government.

This was a matter for Executive decision

RESOLVED –

(1) T H A T the report on performance for delivering Disabled Facilities Grant in Quarter 1 of 2013-14 be noted.

(2) T H A T the report be referred to the Scrutiny Committees (Housing and Public Protection, Health and Social Care and Corporate Resources) for information.

Matter for which the Chairman had decided was urgent by reason of the need to take action to complete the improvement works at Fairoaks, Dinas Powys

Approval was sought to bring forward capital monies to complete the housing improvement works at Fairoaks, Dinas Powys.

A four and half year investment programme for Council Housing had been agreed which would result in all Council Housing being brought up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

Works commenced in September 2012. Building Services had been allocated the package of WHQS works for sheltered housing. Due to the expedient way in which the programme had been delivered and the ability to fund work in additional homes within the 2013/14 budget, half of the homes at Fairoaks, Dinas Powys were brought forward from 2014/15 to 2013/14. Improvement works to the homes brought forward to 2013/14 have been competed in a timely manner with high levels of tenant satisfaction recorded for the area.

Completion of the remainder of the site within this financial year would have benefits in terms of tenants’ satisfaction and preliminaries costs associated with site set up. There were 22 additional properties that would need to be upgraded to complete the improvement works in the Fairoaks area. One hundred and fifty thousand pounds would need to be brought forward to complete the works in this financial year.

This was a matter for Council decision

RESOLVED –

(1) T H A T authority be granted to amend the Capital programme and to bring forward £150,000 from 2014 / 2015 into 2013 / 2014 to complete the remaining properties in the Fairoaks area of Dinas Powys.

(2) T H A T the use of the urgency procedure under article 13 of the Council's Constitution be agreed in order that immediate action can be taken to ensure improvement works continue at the remaining properties at Fairoaks, Dinas Powys.

(3) T H A T the decision be reported to Council in line with the Urgency procedure.

Matter which the Chairman had decided was urgent by virtue of the need for Cabinet to consider prior to the matter being considered by Council on 23rd October 2013.

Members were apprised of the outcome of the report to Cabinet of 7 October, 2013 now having been submitted to, and considered by, the Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment), Community Liaison Committee and Planning Committee.

Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment) on 8 October, 2013 recommended that the proposals as contained within the report in order for the statutory six week public consultation exercise to commence in November 2013 be agreed and the Deposit Draft Plan commended to Cabinet and Council for approval.Both Community Liaison Committee on 16 October, 2013 and Planning Committee on 17 October, 2013 noted the resolutions of Cabinet.

Several minor changes had been necessary to address typographical errors and minor amendments of a factual nature in respect of the Cabinet draft of the Deposit LDP. These changes would be presented to Council as supplementary information in the form of an addendum.

In presenting this report the Leader highlighted the following comments that were made at the Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment) held on 8 October, 2013:

â€˜A number of Members agreed that although they were aware any draft Deposit Plan would be contentious, the Council was obliged to produce one and in their opinion it had been considered and dealt with as sensitively as possible.

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank all for coming, in particular the officers for their hard work in the production of the Plan and for the briefing sessions for the Members of the public that had been arranged.

With no further comments it was subsequently moved, seconded and

RECOMMENDED – T H A T the proposals as contained within the report in order for the statutory six week public consultation exercise to commence in November 2013 be agreed and the Deposit Draft Plan commended to Cabinet and Council for approval.

Reason for recommendation

Having considered the presentation, the report and the Deposit Draft Plan and the arrangements for the public consultation exercise.’

This was a matter for Council.

RESOLVED –

(1) T H A T it be noted that Community Liaison Committee and Planning Committee received a presentation and made no recommendations on the Draft Local Development Plan.

(2) T H A T it be further noted that the Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment) discussed the Draft Local Development Plan, and moved a resolution to commend the Draft Local Development Plan to Cabinet and Council for approval.

(3) T H A T the Draft Local Development Plan be further endorsed and be commended to Council on the 23 October, 2013.

Reasons for decisions

(1) To note the comments of the Community Liaison and Planning Committees.

(2) To note the comments of the Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment).

(3) To commend the draft Local Development Plan to Council.

At the meeting the Leader did not take the Part 2 item on the agenda titled Disposal of Surplus Land at Ysgol Pen y Garth providing the reason that he had given a pledge to not take part two items in community Cabinet Meetings and that wherever possible Part 2 reports should be accompanied by a Part 1 report.